Add-On Releases - Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

Version 2.0 of this addon which allows for IP tracking using a mySQL database has been released. This is an optional feature which is disabled by default.


With vBulletin, forum guests are able to view endless amounts of content without being directly asked or forced to register no matter how many times they come back. The purpose of the Limited Guest Viewing System is to drive in registrations by limiting the number of threads guests are able to view without interruption.

This plugin offers two options which can be used to drive in more registrations. The first option allows you to show a reminder message or advertisement after a guest has viewed a certain number of threads. The second option puts up a roadblock stopping guests from viewing threads altogether after reaching a certain number of views. Both options work together to encourage and ultimately force anonymous visitors to either register or login but can also be used separately based on your individual needs.


Modifications/ Instructions:
Template edits: 1
Plugins: 1 (adds 1 template and several settings)
SQL Queries: 2 [1 insert/update] (optional)

This template hack should take under 5 minutes to implement and customize.

Customizing the content / messages:
To customize which messages appear or what they say, go to vBulletin options, select the ?Limited Guest Viewing System? group and configure the options as desired. Each phase can be modified by adding translation text.

Through the ACP you can enable or disable each option, specify the number of threads that can be viewed before the option is enabled and input any forums you wish to exclude from being blocked.

Search Engine Bots (Spiders):

This plugin is intended to use cookies as a result few if any bots will be impacted when it comes to spidering your site [bots do not generally use cookies]. Users with IP logging enabled face more potential impact from spiders. For a full explanation of the impact on bots please read the install file. Questions about this issue should be asked after the install file will be read otherwise responses will direct you to read the file.

IP/ Database Logging:
As of version 2.0 this addon now allows for IP logging via mySQL instead of just using cookies. IP logging tracks visitors by IP address stopping issues associated with cookie clearing making the system more secure. This is optional and is turned off by default.




There are 3 possible downsides of this option you should be aware of.

1. The system adds an additional query and update every time a guest views a thread which adds to your server load.
2. Some users on ISPs like AOL share IPs and could be forced to register without being able to access any threads.
3. While spiders often change IPs and are specifically excluded (by hostmask) from the addon this is not absolute and it is possible they could be blocked. See the install file for more on this.

Welcome headers compatibility:
The Limited Guest Viewing is designed to work with the Welcome Headers System version 3.6 without any conflict. If you are using the notices system in 3.7 there is the possibility of duplicating messages.

Updates
- 12/10/2008 - Bug update to fix issue #2-01
-10/30/2008 - Release of version 2.0 beta
-05/04/2008 - Release of 3.7.0 version

[eglyntine]

Right after I posted the previous message I decided just on a whim to check IE and see if it might be a Firefox issue aaaand. It works perfectly in IE, but I can still view the forums through Firefox 3.0.4, IE is v.7 so maybe it's just a Firefox issue. I don't run Safari so I couldn't tell you what happens with it.

[mmoore5553]

i would love to beta test

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by eglyntine

Hey Ted, I installed the upgrade that is supposed to check IP's so that a person can't just clear their cookies and continue to read. Initially I just upgraded and I was still able to clear cookies and keep reading. Then I uninstalled it completely and reinstalled and I'm still able to clear cookies and keep reading.

Is there something else I need to turn on that I'm missing?

vBulletin version: 3.7.4 P1
LGV version: 3.7 Upgrade
Website Address: http://www.houseofparents.com
Browser: FireFox 3.0.4

Did you follow the instructions to turn on the IP logging?

[hymoo]

Doesn't this mod conflict with vbseo? I'm highly interested in this mod since it will increase membersignups for sure but if traffic decreases.

Please let me know!

[eglyntine]

Originally Posted by Ted S

Did you follow the instructions to turn on the IP logging?

I did have everything turned on that was displaying like the instructions indicated but the IP Logging options weren't displaying. It was almost like it didn't really delete the previous version. I finally ended up doing another re-install and it showed up and is working fine now. Thanks again for your help!

N.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by hymoo

Doesn't this mod conflict with vbseo? I'm highly interested in this mod since it will increase membersignups for sure but if traffic decreases.

Please let me know!

See the main thread which specifically addresses this question.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by eglyntine

I did have everything turned on that was displaying like the instructions indicated but the IP Logging options weren't displaying. It was almost like it didn't really delete the previous version. I finally ended up doing another re-install and it showed up and is working fine now. Thanks again for your help!

N.

Great! Let me know if you encounter any other issues.

[onehost]

Exactly what is the point in forcing somone to do something you want them to do...? all they will do is register, take/view what they want, and be gone...because if they have no intentions of staying then they wont, all you have done is forced them to create an account and thats it...9 out of 10 people mostly never return...and how is that number going to change by doing force registrations? and if guests are blocked by limitations, how about search engines? are they blocked also

[onehost]

Originally Posted by eglyntine

Hey Ted, I installed the upgrade that is supposed to check IP's so that a person can't just clear their cookies and continue to read. Initially I just upgraded and I was still able to clear cookies and keep reading. Then I uninstalled it completely and reinstalled and I'm still able to clear cookies and keep reading.

Is there something else I need to turn on that I'm missing?

vBulletin version: 3.7.4 P1
LGV version: 3.7 Upgrade
Website Address: http://www.houseofparents.com
Browser: FireFox 3.0.4

why totaly rely on cookies for the ip...as a typical ip can change, why not
use the actual hostname? I guess anyone could just as easy change an ip
as they are not constant...but how easy is it to avoid your hostname, other
then going over to a friends house, thus using another connection.

IE:

The IP Address is: 92.113.147.159
The host name is: 159-147-113-92.pool.ukrtel.net

Tomorrow this IP number may change, but the host name will not...vb uses
this in their ip tracking/banning options.

however, I am not 100% certain on how all this works...whoever is
working on this hack probably would have a better understanding
on what I am talking about and if it would work or not.

[Ted S]

Host names can change just as easily as the IP and generally if one is dynamic the other is as well. Take a look at your example where there hostname is the ip (backwards) followed by the host's address. There are some isps who keep constant subnets but it's not common to let one id change and not the other as the two are usually related.

Remember, unlike bans we're working to get a 1-to-1 relationship so identifying entire host subnets would be ineffective. IPs are also limited as they can change and are duplicated by some ISPs which is why I did not include this initially.

The reality of the internet is that there is absolutely no way to insure someone is the same person when they return to a site.